Rashelle is 3

Rashelle stood next to our bed at 5:00- 'Mommy, it's my birthday'. Great! Maybe, next year we're going to keep it a secret. We did force her to lay down until a more decent hour, before opening all her presents.

Yes, we did support the Chinese economy again, but it is in a honest attempt to get her to enjoy combing her hair.The really nice thing was that my dad just visited us, and brought gifts from the family, thanks everyone!

After breakfast, Carl went to fetch her best friend. They really play together like sisters, only one speaks Afrikaans and the other english. Though they truly seem to understand one another.

When Tim woke up, we went to a indoor playarea. It's nicer to play inside than outside because of the heat. Only the electricity was off, so no fans. Dad had a real workout.

As you can see, mr I'm afraid of nothing was there too.

When we took Bianca back to Goeie Hoop, we ate some cake with the rest of the children.

Then home to some good old fries and vienna's, on request.

And then it was finished. I honestly think Rashelle was relieved when it was all over. Now we can get back to the business of being three (who thought out terrible two's? Three's are much more work!).

But from mom and dad: You're a big girl now. May you lay your hand in God's, and may He lead you into this new year. May you grow in every way possible, and still hold on to your innocence and faith. We love you, and we are proud of you, Rashelle! 







Holiday

In case you missed us, we've been away for 10 days, and left the computer behind. I thought I'd share just some of the highlights of our holiday, but it has been seriously difficult to select just a few pictures. That's the down side of digital technology, there is nothing to stop the trigger-happy-photo-fingers.

Our excuse for going was my father's visit. He came and we drove to visit my grandmother, some real family time:

  The kids had a good time with their grandfather here:

Then we visited with friends in Port Elizabeth, and their three BEAUTIFUL adopted children:

and their slightly more unusual 'children':

Then on to the area, previously known as the 'Transkei'. It was my first time in this part of South Africa, and I was surprised at the beauty:

We visited with friends on a mission compound, had great conversations, and was surrounded by God's peace and quiet.

Lastly, we spend two days of peace in a beautiful area called Stormsrivier:

For reservations, just call our agents:

TIM PAALMAN

 

 Or his assistant, that's currently out of office:

Hope to see you soon! Please make it soon, the doctor wants to cut 23 March.



Bird park

On the 4th of January, we went with all the children and volunteers from Goeie Hoop to a bird park in Houtbaai. I can remember the place from my childhood days, and it just has fond memories for me. We had a good time, here are some pictures (I focused on the human pictures, because if I have to show you all the birds, there will be hundreds):

Our extra children for the day. The younger girl kept calling us mom and dad, broke my heart everytime she did it.

Rashelle and her best friend, looking at monkeys.

OK, just a few birds for the animal people out there:

Tim loved every moment of it:

Who wouldn't being carried around like the king?

This is as close as you'll get to seeing my pregnant body, but just to show that I too enjoyed myself. (Though that smile does look fake, I know)

On days like these I'm always amazed by God's attention to detail and his unending creativity. It was beautiful.

Bobsledging in Africa

We accidently found this place called cool runnings. Have you ever seen the movie cool runnings? This was really bobsledging in the heat, maaan. Rashelle loved it!

Merry Christmas in the summer

Sweat everywhere is not normal for the classic white christmas that is proclaimed in all the songs. But we surely were nice and sweaty on Christmas. But it was not all bad, there are some definite advantages to a sumer Christmas.

A nice barbeque/braai.

Family together in the longer evenings.

Nice marshmellows on the fire.

And en evening with friends.

But whatever the temperature of your Christmas, we hope that it was fillied with the JOY that can only come from knowing the reason for the season.

Merry Christmas!

The professionals

Living on a golf course has an effect on a man. Carl has decided he has a new calling in life;)













But of course, where dad leads, we follow. So for Sinterklaas mom supported the Chinese economy, and now we have two more professionals in the house.

 Needless to say, when it was mom's turn, the camera disappeared:)

Sinterklaas

It's been ages since I've blogged, but it's because everything that's newsworthy is work related and gets posted on the website. www.mercy4africa.com

But now we finally had a fun night. The 5th of December is tradisional gifts day in the Netherlands instead of Christmas, often, not always. It's celebrated by celebrating the coming of St Nicholas from Spain. A man that remarkably resembles Santa Claus, but of cause it not the same.

We enjoyed celebrating this festival on the 10th of December with the other volunteers at Goeie Hoop. Here are some pictures:

Every gift is disguised in a 'package' that says something about  the person or the gift. It is amazing how much effort people put in, and the creativity!

This little man was given to one of the girls that takes care of the babies, isn't that cute?

I actually never found out what the elephant meant;)

A bottle of tablets on my lap, what does that tell you?

It does say that it is for relaxing on the side.

And a face that could wink and stick out it's tongue.

Beforehand I thought I did well this year, but I'll have to try again next year.

We had lots of fun!